News & Openings

Meet Me at JamaloukiCon

April 28, 2017 - 1 Comment

You’ve probably been seeing JamaloukiCon all over social media and wondering what it means?

It’s a fashion and beauty festival happening right now in Beirut bringing together some of most prominent names in the industry such as Elie Saab, Bassam Fattouh, Sarah Sampaio and Kristina Bazan to name a few. Organized by the renowned Jamalouki Magazine, one of the leading magazines in the Arab world, this will be the first edition of hopefully many more in the region, that we’re proud to kick off in Lebanon. Some of the biggest brands in the beauty industry have taken part, including a live makeup tutorial by Bassam Fattouh, the official launch of NYX in Lebanon and a makeup show by L’Oreal. There will also be panels and free workshops taking place throughout the days, tackling topics such as the fashion industry, digital influence and entrepreneurship. And finally, MEET and GREETS at the bloggers corner where you can meet your favorite bloggers for an hour.

I’ll be hosting my own MEET and GREET at JamaloukiCon tomorrow, Saturday the 29th of April at 7pm to 8pm and I would LOVE to meet you guys finally in person. This is actually my first official meet and greet, I haven’t had one before, and I’m very excited about it. If you’re an aspiring blogger, a fashion and beauty enthusiast or a simply someone who has been following this blog for years, than I hope to see you there. You can ask me anything you like and I’ll be happy to answer your questions and get to know you guys better. Stick around until after 8pm and I’ll be your makeup shopping guide. So be sure to pass by if you’re there!
Also don’t forget to follow me on @IvySays on both Instagram and Snapchat for coverage of JamaloukiCon.

Ivy Hosts: Mother’s Day At Michael Kors

March 29, 2017 - Leave a Comment

I remember owning my first Michael Kors handbag in high school, it was the most I had ever spent on a bag and I was very proud of it to say the least. I chose the signature monogram tote that never really went out of style and I wore it literally ALL the time. After that I went on to get the travel tote in camel, the Emry one in pink and my personal favorite the Hamilton in a saffiano red. If you’re a fan of the brand then you know exactly what these signature bags look like. I admire how Michael Kors truly embodies affordable luxury, with very high quality bags that can withstand the test of time and still look great and maintain their shape even after years of use. But my love for the brand didn’t stop there, throughout the years I’ve went on to own their watches,shoes, glasses and jewelry that can give any outfit that jet-set chic vibe.

So you can imagine my excitement , when I was named the Michael Kors Ambassador in Lebanon this year. And to kick things off, I hosted a Mother’s Day brunch at their flagship store last in downtown Beirut last week. It was a floral affair, with Spring in the air and blooms making a big appearance.

We had a florist with us who arranged gorgeous bouquets for the lovely guests and VIP Clients who joined us while we nibbled on treats and previewed the latest SS17 collection. The Exclusive Mother’s Day Collection also made its debut, in cream and orange versions cross shoulder bags with floral appliqués.

This season’s collection featured my current favorites lots of backpacks, nano bags, and crossbody bags in an array of shapes and sizes. I curated my current must-haves in a corner and had so much fun helping a lot of my guests chose the bag which fit their style and personality the most.

I’ll be sharing with you a lot of my current favorite bags on Instagram throughout the year, so don’t forget to follow me there if you want to keep up with what’s new and how to style it.
Thanks to all my lovely friends and blog readers who showed up with their moms, it was such a pleasure to catch up and meet a lot of you and of course, one more time, Happy Mother’s Day to all the beautiful mammas out there, especially mine!

Lebanon is Calling

November 8, 2016 - 4 Comments

lebanon-is-calling-ivy-says
I moved to Lebanon at a somehow precarious time. In 2009, assassinations were taking place and the general mood was that of unease and uncertainty, definitely not the ideal time for a single, early-twenty something girl to leave her family, a stable career in Toronto in search for a new adventure in Beirut. My friends and extended family thought I had somewhat lost it when I announced to them I would be moving here for good, while most people would have killed to move to North America or the UAE, my heart was set on Lebanon.

I’m not going to pretend I don’t have my doubts every now and then, political instability can really make you question a lot of things, but I persevered, even more, I built a life for myself here. The first thought that came to mind when my fiancé (now husband) and I got engaged was to look into purchasing some real estate, a place where we can put down our roots and call home.
It was another tough one; this would make things all the more real, it would mean we were invested and in it for the long run. Picking up and leaving wasn’t as simple anymore. And I’m glad it isn’t. I’ve grown attached to this country I now can finally call home. For my entire life, Lebanon was simply, a summer destination, a place I’d visit for a month or two enjoy, make some beautiful memories and friends, though always limited by an itinerary.

But as I wake up today and every day to my homegrown organic thyme mixed with olive oil from the village, have a strong locally brewed coffee and take in the gorgeous view I’ve been blessed with from our balcony, I know that I would have never stopped wanting to move here, and instead wondering about what could have been my life here, I made my dream a reality.

And things are starting to look up even more. The past week has been a historical one, after more than 30 months without a president and a grim looking economy we’ve finally been able to amicably elect a president and begin a new chapter. The future is looking bright and I plan on remaining optimistic. Because like myself, there are some folks who never gave up on this wonderful place, the ones that stuck around, and would like to see this country flourish. Companies such as DEMCO Properties who despite the numbers, continued to invest and build a steady portfolio of top notch properties that have made Lebanon more appealing and developed. The only thing missing now is Lebanese expats, the people that need to believe in their beloved Lebanon again and make it home, or at least a second home by coming back. That’s why I’m sharing with you this inspirational new ad by DEMCO Properties, now running on CNN; Lebanon is calling. I don’t want to say more, watch the ad yourself below, and pick up the call…

YSL Beauty x Ivy Says- Mon Paris

November 1, 2016 - Leave a Comment

I’ve come to be quite proud of my current fragrance collection. As a little girl I remember being drawn to my mother’s perfumes, the fancy bottles and alluring scents. She was an avid collector of all the classics at that time. She wouldn’t even throw the empty ones away. Instead she would store them in a little box in her closet. “They’re too pretty to go in the bin” she would say. And she was right.

My father and her developed a ritual, when he would travel, which he did quite often, he would always return with one or two from the airports he would visit, and just like that, her collection would grow.

There was one scent in particular which was always my favorite, especially when my mom would so generously apply it, I remember what a lovely trail she would leave behind in each room. It was called Paris, by Yves Saint Laurent, a tribute to Parisiennes who renowned for their natural elegance, romance, simplicity and charm. I didn’t know it at the time, but YSL’s Paris was a scent that would heavily influence my future preferences in perfumes. Sensationally floral, a unique harmony between violets and roses.

So you can imagine my appreciation of a classic revisited. This season, YSL Beauty launched Mon Paris, a new fragrance inspired by the city of lights, in a bottle so chic. modern, sensual and feminine. Like it’s godmother Paris, it’s also floral, but it’s fruity. Berries and pears, with white peonies, datura and patchouli. It’s strong without being overbearing, with the right balance of sweet.

I was very happy to be a part of the launch that took place at ABC Ashrafieh. The YSL team and I invited ladies to take part in a love vertigo draw and bring a little taste of that Paris romance to Beirut, with a chance to win a hand painted drawing with their special someone.

If you’re looking for your next signature fragrance then I would definitely recommend you give Mon Paris a try and as always I can’t wait to share with you more of my favorite seasonal releases from my all-time favorite makeup brand YSL Beauty!

More YSL Love

Ivy Hosts: YSL Touche Eclat Slogan Edition Launch

Black Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Pregnant- AGAIN!

October 25, 2016 - 2 Comments

I’m so happy to announce that we’re expecting our 2nd baby! So soon? You may wonder…
Well- as much as we like to plan these things, they somehow have a way of planning things for us- and not the other way around.

We’ve been discussing diving head-first for a second for some time now, no, not because we miss the sleepless nights, or sporadic diaper accidents, or having to leave the house with 2 bags of stuff we “might” need for the baby. We’re blessed to say we’re still very much experiencing all these wonderful perks of parenthood. So in our books, it only made sense to go through them with two beautiful little babies instead of just one. Because let me tell you, I’m not crazy about repeating the process again in two or three years when things have settled with Baby Luca and he’s off to school. No sir. I plan on catching up with all the sleep I’ve missed. So here we are again, picking out color palettes for a nursery because Baby Number 2 will be making a debut in a couple of months.

I’m just about 23 weeks in and we had our first 3D ultra-sound in during the weekend. I thought I wouldn’t be as surprised this time around, but as I watched the baby’s features show up so clearly on the screen, it was just as miraculous and exciting as our first. I’m already madly in love.

Though I must confess, I haven’t really had time to think about this pregnancy as much as my first, since I have my hands full catching up with Baby Luca who just started walking- actually running. I can’t help but feel a little guilty already, for being slightly negligent with my vitamins or diet. I remember when I was pregnant with Luca, every meal was meticulously prepared for the baby’s development sometimes even brought to my bed, now I’m lucky if I remember to eat. I used to announce his kicks and every small movement he would make in my belly, to every member of my family; this time around, I’ll feel the movements and just give my belly a little rub and smile as I continue with the crazy/beautiful chaos of toddlerdom.

So what’s it like to be pregnant two years in a row you might be thinking? Familiar. Am I nervous? You bet! Baby Luca will hardly be a year and a half when I give birth so I’ll really have my hands full! But you know, it almost now feels like I never actually gave birth, like I’ve been continuously eating for two since 2015. I’m blessed and grateful to be fortunate enough to go through it again, and although, it is my second time around, I plan on taking in and savoring each and every moment of having another child in my belly and so close to my heart. Because before you know it, they’ll be running around like wild geese while you struggle to keep up.

I will be sharing with you this new journey as much as I can, as I know many of my followers are also expecting or planning on having a baby, so make sure you subscribe to this blog by entering your email in the box on the upper right hand corner and follow my daily adventures on SNAP CHAT username: IVY SAYS.

7 Reasons Why I Love Bridget Jones Baby

September 14, 2016 - Leave a Comment

After more than a decade, our favorite neurotic funny London gal is back with Bridget Jones Baby. Yes, Baby! She’s pregnant this time around except she’s not sure who the father is. It comes out tomorrow in cinemas across Lebanon and here are 10 Reasons Why I Love it and you will too and don’t worry No Spoilers here…

1. She’s been through it all, the lonely singleton life, cheating boyfriends, commitment-phobes, devastating breakups, ego-maniac workaholic men, snobby married couples and judgmental people all the while making us laugh till our bellies hurt. And now we get to watch her become a mother for the first time!

2. She’s totally relatable because she’s not your perfect heroine stereotype, she’s struggled with her weight like many of us, she always has messy disheveled hair (and not in a sexy salon way), has to remind herself to wax before her dates and wears embarrassing granny panties. How can you not love her?

3. She’s awkward, clumsy, cheesy, funny, and has had her fair share of work place disasters and public humiliation incidents throughout the years, yet despite all those downfalls (literally) she’s still managed to become a successful high flying TV executive who can brush it all off and bravely walk into the office each day and face her coworkers like nothing was. You gotta admire that kind of bravery, I can barely eat at a restaurant alone!

4. She’s an inspiration. Put aside her hilarious self-depreciation, Bridget Jones has never stopped trying to find happiness for herself, and now 12 years later she’s in her 40s and although she hasn’t found herself “the one” and I love that. Instead, she’s got a great career, a lovely apartment and great life and she seems totally satisfied with it.

5. She’s evolved in different ways, changing her lifestyle, quitting smoking and drinking, getting into fitness and reaching her ideal weight goal. But the story now shows us that despite being able to control all these “factors” that are supposed to make us complete, you’ll never have a perfect life because some things you just can’t control.

6.She’s never taken the typical route and her decisions constantly challenge the way society is telling her how her life ought to be, (much to the dismay of her mother and grandmother.) This time however instead of seeing her endure heartbreak from the men in her life once again, we get to see two handsome men hilariously brawling over her and her baby. Go Bridget!

7.It’s so cool seeing her motherhood instincts kick in, she now wants only what’s best for her child, and although there are lots of laughs expect many tender moments as well, as Bridget Jones embarks on the most important journey of her life to date, becoming a mom.

Check out the Trailer

Mugler Les Exceptions Has Arrived

June 20, 2016 - Leave a Comment

Remember the 90’s when everyone smelled like sweet chocolate and patchouli? And then again in 2005 the rest of us smelled like spicy cinnamon and Jasmine? If Angel and Alien come to mind then you know I’m talking about Thierry Mugler Fragrances.

The design house does nothing conventional when it comes to scents, having been widely credited with introducing a new fragrance trend or category—gourmand—in the 1990s. And although those fragrances have earned their ranks amongst some of the bestselling iconic perfumes of all times, this hasn’t stopped satisfied Mugler from shaking things up with a new line that is bound to once again tip the balance in his favor this time with Mugler; Les Exceptions, the house’s own new modern take on the classics we’ve come to love, with bold, maybe even controversial combinations that are bound to get some major attention in the fragrance and beauty industry.

I had the pleasure of attending the exclusive presentation in the Middle East and meet the nose behind the scent in person Jean-Christophe Herault who walked us through the inspiration and formulas of the 7 different fragrances that make up the Les Exceptions Collection.

The scents are strong, and versatile, likely to satisfy a wide range of tastes, but most definitely not for the faint of heart, though I have to admit compared to Angel and Alien, they’re restrained- hence the name- Les Exceptions. Still they will (literally) leave a long lasting impression.

I was immediately drawn to Oriental Express, a warm fresh new take on the legendary sandalwood-vanilla accord with spices , carrot seed and basil. It’s rare that I try a unisex perfume and think “I could wear this…” usually the masculine notes takes over, but they really don’t in this case, it really just depends on the context. It reminds me a little of Oud, though surprisingly it has none. And if the scent is enough to draw you in then the faceted bottle design will surely make you want to add as a piece on your beauty counter. And if like me you like to collect, then you this is a piece that will make you proud.

You can discover the full range of Mugler Les Exceptions and experience the perfume bar now available at the ABC Dbayeh.